I have many beliefs that differr from my traditional Christian belifs, most having to do with science and looking at the practical side of things. For instance, I Do not believe that God created the world in seven days, but rather that the big bang did happen and that God was responsible for causing it. I like to have straight, conclusive answers when it comes to religion, and that is very hard to get sometimes. I try to walk a fine line between my church's faith and conclusive science.
Theodicy is another concept that is very important to me. I believe that God is watching over us and making things better for us, but for the most part, he is leaving it up to us to make things better for ourselves. I believe that we have to try to make the world better for ourselves, the people around us, and our ancestors.
I wonder about where we go when we die often. I have come to the conclusion that there is a heaven and a hell, and it will be decided which one we go to when we die. However, I also believe that if you did something terrible but are truly sorry for what you did, you will still go to hell but your punishment time would be made shorter and less painful. It seems only fair to me.
I believe that everyone should be treated equally, no matter their social status, beliefs, sexual preference or otherwise. Everyone should be given the same amount of respect and care as everyone else. Most bad things in this world happen because of hatred, and if everyone can just love each other. The world would be made a much better place.
Journal 2
- Hello. I hear that you are a Hindu guru. I have some questions I would like to ask you.
- why, sure. I am happy to help.
- First, what are the Gods of Hinduism?
- We believe that there is only one god, Brahman. He shifts into all other Gods. We are a Monistic religion.
- Okay thanks. What does Hinduism think about what happens after we die?
- We believe that you will be reincarnated or sent to moksha, which is kind of like our heaven, based on whether you have more positive karma or negative karma.
- Thanks! One more question. Who started Hinduism?
- There was no individual who started it, but rather a combo of two ancient civilizations and their religions, the Indus Valley Civilization and the Mayan civilization.
Journal 3
After meditating for 10 minutes, I did have many things to reflect upon and think about. Meditating really did fell pretty good, It cleared my mind and all of my emotions from the day kind of got left behind. At first, I didn’t really think that it was going to have any effect, but after sitting and simply thinking about nothing, I really began to space out and quietly observe myself and my surrounding, almost like I was looking at myself from a different place. I was really cool to just take some time out of the day, put aside the past worries and stresses of the day, and just relax. I can really see why the Buhddismsts did it every day. It was very relaxing and reflective. It gave me a time to look at my past activities for the day, while reliving the stress of the day and kind of giving me a fresh start.
Journal 4
If the ten commandments were to come down again, I would for the most part keep them the same as they were. I am Christian, so I believe that these commandments are truly the way to a better life. If I had to pick one to change, I would edit the commandment that says that you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, house or goods. I think that it is okay to want something that belongs to someone else, as long as It does not overtake you and you become obsessed with having it. Other than that, I have no other revisions to the Ten Commandments
Journal 5
Once, I walked past a homeless man on my way to a basketball game, even though I had money in my pocket. I felt immense guilt about it afterwards, but what was done was done. I think that this relates to the good Samaritan parable because I should have helped the man, as little as it was, and made a positive difference in his life. IN the parable, a priest and a holy man walk by a man who was robbed and then beat up. Then a Samaritian, a man who was a traveler and really had no business helping this man walked by. He stopped, helped the man, took him to man inn, and paid the innkeeper. I should have given some of my money to the homeless man.
Theodicy is another concept that is very important to me. I believe that God is watching over us and making things better for us, but for the most part, he is leaving it up to us to make things better for ourselves. I believe that we have to try to make the world better for ourselves, the people around us, and our ancestors.
I wonder about where we go when we die often. I have come to the conclusion that there is a heaven and a hell, and it will be decided which one we go to when we die. However, I also believe that if you did something terrible but are truly sorry for what you did, you will still go to hell but your punishment time would be made shorter and less painful. It seems only fair to me.
I believe that everyone should be treated equally, no matter their social status, beliefs, sexual preference or otherwise. Everyone should be given the same amount of respect and care as everyone else. Most bad things in this world happen because of hatred, and if everyone can just love each other. The world would be made a much better place.
Journal 2
- Hello. I hear that you are a Hindu guru. I have some questions I would like to ask you.
- why, sure. I am happy to help.
- First, what are the Gods of Hinduism?
- We believe that there is only one god, Brahman. He shifts into all other Gods. We are a Monistic religion.
- Okay thanks. What does Hinduism think about what happens after we die?
- We believe that you will be reincarnated or sent to moksha, which is kind of like our heaven, based on whether you have more positive karma or negative karma.
- Thanks! One more question. Who started Hinduism?
- There was no individual who started it, but rather a combo of two ancient civilizations and their religions, the Indus Valley Civilization and the Mayan civilization.
Journal 3
After meditating for 10 minutes, I did have many things to reflect upon and think about. Meditating really did fell pretty good, It cleared my mind and all of my emotions from the day kind of got left behind. At first, I didn’t really think that it was going to have any effect, but after sitting and simply thinking about nothing, I really began to space out and quietly observe myself and my surrounding, almost like I was looking at myself from a different place. I was really cool to just take some time out of the day, put aside the past worries and stresses of the day, and just relax. I can really see why the Buhddismsts did it every day. It was very relaxing and reflective. It gave me a time to look at my past activities for the day, while reliving the stress of the day and kind of giving me a fresh start.
Journal 4
If the ten commandments were to come down again, I would for the most part keep them the same as they were. I am Christian, so I believe that these commandments are truly the way to a better life. If I had to pick one to change, I would edit the commandment that says that you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, house or goods. I think that it is okay to want something that belongs to someone else, as long as It does not overtake you and you become obsessed with having it. Other than that, I have no other revisions to the Ten Commandments
Journal 5
Once, I walked past a homeless man on my way to a basketball game, even though I had money in my pocket. I felt immense guilt about it afterwards, but what was done was done. I think that this relates to the good Samaritan parable because I should have helped the man, as little as it was, and made a positive difference in his life. IN the parable, a priest and a holy man walk by a man who was robbed and then beat up. Then a Samaritian, a man who was a traveler and really had no business helping this man walked by. He stopped, helped the man, took him to man inn, and paid the innkeeper. I should have given some of my money to the homeless man.